<— HAPPY NEW RELEASE DAY & THIS IS THE STAR OF THE SHOW YOU GUYS!!!!! The star of today’s “new book releases” show, and maybe even this whole year’s book show. Best book Colleen Hoover has ever written, MY favorite of hers without a doubt, and so far? My absolute favorite of the year!!!!!! This one affected me soul deep. But… you can read my review for more details on that. My Book Review of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

And it’s not just me! WE ARE GOING CRAZY for it, together!!

Tasara: I was wrecked for days and days after and I am so glad to hear you loved it too!

Danielle: Went in blind. So glad I did! Tears, goosebumps, and a wonderful book hangover with this one. Colleen’s best book as far as I’m concerned!!!

Anne: Its 5:00 am and I just finished it. I couldn’t put it down. I am speechless. Its such a powerful book. This is without a doubt Colleen’s best work. Best book of 2016 so far. Wow.

Natasha: Omg. I have felt like I needed this book ever since I first heard about it and your review just made me NEED it even more!! I loved your review and can’t wait to experience this journey as well!!

Jeanie: I can’t wait to read this! I love CH and I hearing this is her best so far….I am excited!!

Leanne: Half way through and work is getting in the way of my reading. Lol I lovvvvveeee it.

But that’s not the only awesome on in today’s list, I’m sure. Although it’s the highlight of mine. Take a look at what else went live today (and I’ll keep adding as I find more):

BARGAINS & READER RECOMMENDATIONS (NOTE: bargain priced when I added them, but prices can change on Amazon, so make sure to check before you finalize your order. Sales listed are for Amazon U.S., however some of the Amazon UK links also reflect the sale!):

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley <— She’s on the hunt for a mysterious, infamous graffiti artist once school ends, and “The last person Lucy wants to spend this night with is Ed, the guy she’s managed to avoid since punching him in the nose on the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells Lucy he knows where to find Shadow, the two of them are suddenly on an all-night search to places where Shadow’s pieces of heartbreak and escape echo off the city walls. And what Lucy can’t see is the one thing that’s right before her eyes.” Bev found us this one! “Reading Graffiti Moon and am really enjoying it.”

Tasha: “I dived right into The Hard Count yesterday and didn’t stop until 5:30 a.m. :O lol, like I haven’t stayed up like that bc I’m getting to where my body literally can’t do it anymore in 3 years. It’s funny bc I was thinking of Friday Night Lights while reading it, just bc of the heavy football atmosphere and I’m wanting more of that. So so good guys!”

Danielle: The Hard Count by Ginger Scott was soooo good. I finished it around 3 this morning. Worth the lack of sleep, for sure lol.

The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett <— This was also one of bev’s latest favorites: “I’m going to say my favorite read of the month was The Anatomical Shape of a Heart. …This book though is present day San Francisco. What I’m really liking about her writing is how descriptive she is and good at it. Yet, not overly detailed. The MCs were just in a book store talking and I could totally imagine it and them. I love visual books, if that makes sense. But again its not pages of description.“

The Drifter by Kathy Coopmans <— Nancy found us this super-bargain! Nancy: “The Drifter by Kathy Coopmans is a fairly new release and standalone on sale”

Dragonmark (Dark-Hunter Novels) by Sherrilyn Kenyon<—SHERRILYN KENYON ALERT! HE WAS ENSLAVED… “Enslaved and separated from everyone he knew and from his own dragon brothers, he was forced into exile in a fey realm where he lost the only thing he ever really loved.
Now he has a chance to regain what’s been lost…”

Secrets at Midnight: A Psy-Changeling (A Psy-Changeling Novel) by Nalini Singh <— ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN NIGHTSHIFT… “Kirby is an all-too-human woman who wants Bastien just as much as he wants her. But he can’t deny what his body and senses are telling him: there is a raging chaos inside of Kirby that he doesn’t understand…“

The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin: A Novel by Stephanie Knipper <— HER SISTER’S DAUGHTER HAS A SPECIAL GIFT ALERT! “Rose’s daughter, ten-year-old Antoinette, has a form of autism that requires constant care and attention. She has never spoken a word, but she has a powerful gift that others would give anything to harness–she can heal with her touch…“

Dark Carousel (Carpathian Novel, A) by Christine Feehen <— CHRISTINE FEEHAN ALERT! ANCIENT VAMPIRE FINDS HIS MATE ALERT! “The moment Charlotte Vintage walks into his club, Tariq Asenguard’s blood is set on fire. The ancient Carpathian had given up hope of finding his lifemate, but now he will do anything to make Charlotte his own. What Tariq doesn’t know is that Charlotte is using herself and her best friend as bait—to try to draw out the bloodthirsty killers..“

A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles) by Amanda Bouchet <— FANTASY ROMANCE ALERT! “Catalia “Cat” Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods-and her homicidal mother-have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever…”

It Ends with Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover <— FIVE STARS PLUS/COLLEEN HOOVER’S BEST BOOK EVER ALERT! GO IN BLIND!!! This is a must read, I wrote a review (spoiler-free!!), but just jump in and make sure not to read anything out there so you can experience this one in full. Pure ooooomph, OMG jaw-dropping moments, and raw emotion.

In the Fast Lane (Fast Series Book 1) by Evie Anderson <— OLYMPIC SWIMMER & THE COACH SHE HATES ALERT! “She’ll need more than talent to win gold medals this time around. Problematically, the best coach in the world also happens to be the man she loathes…”

Burnin’ For You: inspirational romantic suspense (Montana Fire Book 3) by Susan May Warren <— FIREJUMPERS ALERT! She’s the pilot! “When their smokejumper plane goes down in the northwestern Montana mountains, wounding their team, Gilly and Reuben are the only ones able to hike out to find help. But when their rescue mission turns out to be a fight for their lives…”

Wild Licks by Cecilia Tan <— ROCK STAR DOM & HIS SUBMISSIVE “PUBLIC GIRLFRIEND” ALERT! “It’s only when she’s backstage at a rock concert and attracts the eye—and experienced hands—of guitarist Mal Kennealy that she finds that perfect combination of danger and excitement she’s been craving. Calling herself “Excrucia,” she revels in his uncompromising dominance each night. And yet by day, he knows her only as Gwen, his new escort for public appearances…”

Dare To Stay: The Sons of Steel Row by Jen McLaughlin <— SHE LET’S HIM STAY AT HER HOUSE ALERT! “His bad boy charm always had a hold on her, but now there’s a soulfulness and sorrow in him that she’s never seen before. And despite the heart-stopping risk of helping him, she hopes against all reason that he’ll stay…”

Just What I Needed (The Need You Series) by Lorelei James <— SHE KISSES A STRANGER IN A BAR ALERT! ”Trinity Carlson might be having the worst day ever. And that was before she started drinking in a dive bar, right across from her ex and his new girlfriend. So when she finally decides enough is enough, she grabs hold of a hot, blond stranger and gives him the kiss of his life…”

Gone Too Deep (Search and Rescue) by Katie Ruggle <—RECLUSIVE SURVIVAL EXPERT ALERT! “George Holloway has spent his life alone, exploring the treacherous beauty of the Colorado Rockies. He’s the best survival expert Search and Rescue has, which makes him the obvious choice to lead Ellie Price through deadly terrain to find her missing father. There’s just one problem-Ellie’s everything George isn’t. She’s a city girl, charming, gregarious, delicate, small….”

The Right Kind of Trouble (McKays Series) by Shiloh Walker <— UNREQUITED LOVE ALERT! “In the small Southern town of McKay’s Treasure, everybody knows that the handsome local police chief, Gideon Marshall, has been carrying a torch for Moira McKay. It’s also no secret that Moira has been rejecting Gideon since…forever…” That is… until she’s attacked, and he protects her.

All Note Long (Perfect Harmony) by Annabeth Albert <— M/M ROMANCE ALERT! Country star and a dancer at a gay club alert! “Lucky Ramirez is a hunky boy toy who dances at The Broom Closet, one of West Hollywood’s hottest gay bars. He loves what he does, and he’s good at it—almost as good as he is at playing dumb when he spots Michelin Moses at the bar. What happens next is off the charts—and keeps Michelin coming back for more. He’s just not sure it’s the right move for his career. But if Lucky gets his way, Michelin will get Lucky—and no matter how the media spins it, neither of them will be faking it . . .”

Winter’s Path: (A Seasmoke Friends Novel) by Kelly Moran <— HE’S IN LOVE WITH HIS BEST FRIEND BUT SHE CHOSE SOMEONE ELSE ALERT! “My name is Matt Holcomb, and I’m the good guy. The boy next door. I’m the safe bet and I always do the right thing. Then one night two years ago, I made a terrible mistake that caused irreparable damage, and the guilt is killing me…”

Rogue (Deadliest Lies) by Michele Mannon <— SOUNDS CRAZY!!! HER LOVE IS DEAD & SHE’S NOW A ROGUE MERCENARY ALERT! “...My miscalculation. My fault. My heart left shattered into incomplete pieces which will never wholly fit back together again. But first I have to outsmart my former organization and the hired killer they’ve sent after me; a killer who knows my every move, who’s been inside my head, my heart, and my dreams. I’m the traitor, Kylie. The rogue mercenary. Jaxson’s newest assignment. And this is our love story.”

Welcoming the Bad Boy: A Hero’s Welcome Novel by Annie Rains <— SHE NEARLY RUNS A MILITARY POLICE OFFICER OFF THE ROAD ALERT! “…she nearly runs a hot-blooded biker off the road, the lines begin to blur. Even though Valerie almost killed him, Griffin Black can’t be angry after he learns the reason for her distracted driving: an unruly puppy belonging to her ailing friend. As a member of the military police K-9 unit, Griffin insists on training the dog himself…”

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Wow, you can tell it’s Olympics time with all the books being released that center around them. Not sure if In the Fast Lane is an interconnected standalone in a series or truly a book 1 in a series. No reviews yet on Amazon.

Finishing Summer Games, which i still am unsure about and then on to the new CoHo book!! Yeh!!

Hi Everyone, Yesterday I went to Amazon to see It Ends With Us,
and I clicked ‘Look Inside” and a huge part of the story was there and
also the epilogue , or part of it. Just was very strange. It is not there now.
Anyone else see this?

Well I am running on 3 hours of sleep thanks to Colleen lol. Wow that book you guys! I went in blind too and it was for the best. The Author’s Note at the end was so beautiful. I cried like a baby. I love this book so much!!

Yep. Running on about 45 min sleep. And quite honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to follow It Ends With Us. Stinks because you wait months for the darn thing and devour it immediately. I’m still reeling from that book.

Okie dokie. I’m gonna go ahead and put in a request for an It Ends With Us support group. We’re going to need to talk about this and it can’t be in a public forum. And if we start talking “naked truths” we might need aliases…

Another great, massive list of awesomeness Maryse! Yay! I guess I’ll have to go with Colleen Hoover. Gotta finish Summer Games first, altho’ I’m with you, Cheryl. It’s not as good as Scoring Wilder or the first summer games book. The funny banter isn’t quite so funny in this one. Sort of too ‘try-hard’ IYKWIM. But I’m sticking with it for now. Decent storyline. Actually, sounds very similar to In The Fast Lane plot from up there on your list. Just gymnasts instead of swimmers LOL.

Can’t wait for the new Joanna Wylde, as well. I was expecting it to come out ages ago but the launch date was put off. So it’s been quite a wait for that one. Now it’s nearly here I can start the squeeing

He’s a Havanese. Super cute. My fault. Tried the instant switchover instead of gradual. They fed him canned yucky stuff. Going to try this again! Only 8 weeks. Just a little squirt.

Good to have you back! Real life has been getting in the way for me too this year. It’s August and I’m nowhere near my usual number of books read. You missed all the Wolfsong love? Yes or no? That’s my pick of July!!!

I’m dating CH tonight too. Been reading all day to catch up but now I have to wait for my BR to get home from work so we can read together. Having wine instead of dinner because omg…may switch to tequila.

Tessa Sloth is on my tbr and came up recently when I asked the ladies here for a recommendation. Let me know what you think. Not sure why I didnt read it when I first bought it….but that happens sometimes…too many books-not enough time.

Lisa that happens to me too. I have all these awesome books waiting for me to read them but they somehow get buried under the pile of new shinies and it takes a second or third mention of them to finally get me to read them. In a way, I kind of hate it. I wish I had time to read every single book that catches my eye. I always feel a little like I’m missing out even though I’m reading more now than I ever have before.

I know exactly what you mean Fabi….we have to work out a multi tasking skill that literally allows us to simultaneously read two or three books at once (while also cooking, dinners, ironing clothes, working 8 hours and loving family members)…..come on! We’re women, we should have this nailed already

Really late night for me as we were at the fair all day. It was unbearably hot and sticky all day (so fun!), (we won fish and a hermit crab, fingers crossed they live over 24hrs), rode some rides and played some games, and we finished the night off with mini sugary fair donuts and milk (my favorite). And that filled my quota on festivals for the year. Lol. I haven’t read all of those up there yet, but It Ends With Us is tempting…and maybe scary. I’m not sure if I should be with the blurb and reactions. And added The Anatomical Shape of a Heart. And Day Zero!! I read the first 2 in this series and loved them, I need to catch up. I also read Penny in London by Fisher Amelie, was super impatient and bought it on Sunday night from iBooks and had read most that night and finished Monday morning. It was a pretty quick read and I really liked it! It was more lighthearted as Maryse had mentioned than her other books I’ve read that’s just what I was in the mood for. I smiled throughout, it was romantic and sweet, sexy without being overly so, and a great ride all the way around. And then I decided to jump right into Hidden Bodies bc I’m weird like that. Lol. I’m loving it too, even better than the first. Somehow though I still like Joe (I know it’s soo bad)!

Still reading Sloth (I fell asleep early last night). Tasha’s mention of Day Zero reminded me I want to re-read the whole series after reading Day Zero. Anyone who’s read the Arcana Chronicles needs to read it. It’s a bunch of short stories, but the information in it, including all non spoilery reveals for the calls, powers, and almost everyone’s name are in it! Some were just pure sad. Ia it the fifteenth yet?

Will definitely share when I’ve started it Bev, the blurb sounds really good and my library actually had it, with no wait for once, so I checked it out. It must be my lucky day too because I also checked out Dead Of Winter (Arcana Chronicles). Now I can get all caught up hopefully around release day. The Retribution Of Mara Dyer was there as a surprise (missed the email) so I need to read that first and The Girl on the Train. Putting a pause on Hidden Bodies.

I finished It Ends With Us at about 1:45 am but I had to sit here and think about it until 3:15 am and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I tried to go to bed. Then I woke up crying, upped my rating half a star, and went back to bed. Now, I’ll admit I’ve been averaging about 4 hrs of sleep per night so maybe I’m just losing it, because I didn’t really cry during so much as after. And really, not until this morning!

Now I’m onto Erica Lynn’s latest novella (book hangover cure) with a side of chocolate.

And you should definitely read The Hard Count! It’s so much more than just a romance. More of the focus really is on football, the politics on that, family dynamic and struggles, and there are touches on drugs, gangs, violence. I got really caught up in the football, lol, I caught myself still with spirit chanting “Hoorah” (internally) days after!

R, I finished It Ends With Us last night too. I couldn’t sleep all night…my brain would not shut off! Now I know why Maryse had insomnia! This book! Damn! Have no idea what to read next after that? For those of you here who did read IEWU, what did you read next? Something lighthearted, funny, paranormal? Just curious….

Jean. Holy Moses. I have a friend who writes steamy romance novellas. They are short and fun and I’ve discovered they’re perfect for a book hangover! I’m reading Wicked Game tonight (it’s on my GR if your’re interested). I read Paper Princess after my last book hangover and it helped, but not as well as these do. I need something quick and effortless so I can get back to the angst I love all healed and cleansed!

In other news, we can all relax. My BR is meeting CoHo at her book signing and I re-wrote the ending so she’ll pitch it to her. ;-D

I jumped into IEWU, and am soooooo glad I did. I should have known when Maryse gives out 5 big stars I almost always love the book as mush as she does. I made it to 30%. Dang little poopy puppy. Yes, Michelle, havi puppies are totally squee worthy. OMG. Nothing cuter. So soft. And that little bouncy walk.

So…. CH’s book. Oh. Em. Gee. Need to talk a minute. Okay. How are you guys pronouncing his name? It’s Ryle – so is it like Kyle? Or Rylee? I am going with Rylee, beause Ryle / Kyle sounds weird to me. I hate weird spellings in books. NEXT…..

My absolute favorite line so far has to be: “Ellen, I am confident that the next sentence I am about to write has never been written or spoken aloud before. When he was wiping that cow shit on me, it was quite possibly the most turned-on I have ever been.”

I jumped into Bossman. I almost wish I had saved Banking the Billionaire…something just laugh out loud funny. Wrote my review of IEWU on GR too… no spoilers if you’re worried about that sort of thing *wink wink*

So went right from reading Paper Princess to Broken Prince (with that cliffie, I had to!) and starting It Ends With Us on audio for my drive to work. So far it’s awesome and LOL funny in parts but should I stop listening and read…am I going to crash my car?!?

Oh thank you Fabi for clarifying that’s the right Wolfsong since I missed all of the hullabaloo…if you and MichelleS loved it, I’m done and SOLD!

*waves back to Tessa* ok book twin what have I missed that is a must read for you then? I don’t think I’ve read anything PNR in a while now…or read much period buuuut *sings ‘I’m back in the saddle again ah ahhh’*

I’m still not sure if I want to try this book or not. There is something in the way it is marketed that is off putting to me.
I saw mention of the author’s note about her first memory and mine are not that different. It, not having read it so probably off base, seems like a weird choice to keep as a “surprise” or “twist”. I’m not someone who really has any triggers but
I would suggest anyone that has any triggers to maybe look into it before reading.

Aw hell, I feel like I’m going to implode. I’m supposed to leave for class in 45 minutes but what am I doing? Sitting here trying to digest It Ends With Us after finishing it 10 minutes ago.

Damn.

I’m just…I can’t…yeah, I’ll have to come back and comment and catch up later. After I pick my a$$ up off the floor and haul it to class.

I’m love y’all SO much, but I’m glad I stayed away while reading it so I could experience the full impact of it. Probably doesn’t make sense but I’ll try to explain later when I can articulate my thoughts a little better.

Im a little more than half way through it. I’ve just been falling asleep early. Also, yesterday was my birthday, so I didn’t read much at all. Is it me or is there a lot of sexy time in this book at this point? I mean, it’s hot, but I want to know when all the mysteries are going to be revealed.

FLT
“The Willowbrook Park area was one of those rare nooks just outside of Lexington that had managed to retain its charm, even after the various attacks that had decimated much of the surrounding areas of the city.”
Afterimage (iCoS Book II) by Santino Hassell and Ais

Thank you R, Fabi and Jean! I got that Kindle paperwhite last month for it. Other than that, there will be a package in the mail (from my brother and his wife, and my niece,) and guild War two goodies.

So 2 things from me today…. it is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day… so you’re welcome for that.

FLT – When I got to the bonfire, the smell of fire and booze filled the air. “Broken and Screwed” by Tijan.

Oh Jean… Wrong… that one was so… *giggle* naughty…

bev, it’s… a heavy, heavy book. I’m not going to lie. Everyone jokes about the masochists in the group, (Maryse, Amy, me, Tessa, R… who am I forgetting here?? lovers of the ‘cut my heart into little pieces and scatter it to the four winds’ books) This one… while I rated it a 5 star, it was a hard one for me to handle and I can’t say I would’ve made the same choices the MC did… yeah. I don’t want to get in depth, spoiler free and all that. IEWU is *Still* affecting me a couple days later…that’s beauty of *this* CoHo book, it’s incredibly powerful. Know it’s there if and when you’re ready to read it… but naked truth…know the probability is definitely there for it to hurt.

Thank you Grey! I adored Broken and Screwed. For me, its second to FCH. I liked Carter Reed, but not like that one. Then again, I don’t remember much of Carter Reed. I have to re-read it so I can read Carter Reed two still.

Just finished It Ends With Us. I’m just kind of speechless. In a good way. I totally agree…. 5+ stars. I dare anyone to find me a better read for August. It’s only the 4th, but I already know without a doubt it will be my favorite read this month. Crikey. Where to begin? Real. Just really really REAL feelings. Good, bad, ugly, sweet, achy, tender, anger… all of it. Man. What a book. Book fog in three, two, one….

I forgot to say THANK YOU Maryse for finding us all a 5-star read just in the nick-of-time. I go back to work Monday after my summer off (BOO)… what a great way to end it. Wolfsong and IEWU within weeks of each other? THIS is why I come here. Woo Hoo.

Actually, I don’t blame you guys. This was a hard one even for me. Leslie if you’re considering it at all, I wouldn’t read the spoilers. I think the beauty of the book is in your reaction to it and it won’t be an honest one if you know the situation going in. As far as the blurb, I think it’s pointless. It’s so generic and really doesn’t even give you a sense of the book IMO. I will say, if you have issues with triggers, don’t do it.

This might be too personal of a question, but does anyone ha e triggers on here?

Sometimes death and dying from cancer can be really hard for me to read. One book I loved last year had this, not the mc, and I was a sobbing mess during it. But it didn’t really trigger me. But I have read a couple that it can make me feel really down, maybe depressed really, and not sleep well. That I know is pretty mild and doesn’t happen every time.

Yep. I can’t handle family or like family being sexual. Stepbrother books work for me when they are grown adults or teen, thus the familial emotion isn’t there. That’s why I won”t read certain books. Also, mentally messing with someone who is mentally ill or someone who is abused. I just can’t.

Yep, I’m emotionally sapped. I absolutely loved IEWU but damn…things were SO not black and white, and that gray area is what did me in. Kudos and bitter end martinis for CH for making me feel EVERYTHING Lily went through.

Alright…now I need something light or a PNR or a post-apocalyptic read. Ooh!! Something with zombies!

Hmmmm, triggers…I don’t think I really have any. There are certain things I HATE in books, like when the H cheats but then the h takes him back and everyone lives happily ever after…except me because I hate the H. But no real triggers I can think of off the top of my head…

Bev…I was thinking of the first book from the UTEoTW spinoff series but after how the second book of that series broke my heart (and it’s STILL broken!) I don’t know if I want to start it until the others come out.

I’m going to check out my post-apocalyptic/zombie collection and see what I can come up with.

That a good question R.
Some YA does have sex, one I just read did. It wasn’t explicit in any way. I liked it that the H didn’t look down on the h for having that with an ex. And since it wasn’t great for her and his experience was limited he had her tell him what she didn’t like. Plus the mom made sure she had protection after she met him and thought it’d go there.
That, however, is very different from PP.
HS characters but feels like it was written for adults. Especially with all the different types of relationships that are alluded to.

Yes PP is definitely not for kids IMO. But if I remember correctly I thought it was listed as YA. I almost bought it for my daughter. 1k Boy Kisses had sex in it, but not explicit. I was ok with that, but then there’s the issue of kids talking/acting like adults. It bugs me, but not as much as kids talking like kids lol. I think I get enough from my teen!

I just finished listening to a five star, FREAKIN AWESOME historical. It’s an older publishing so maybe most of you have already read it, but it just knocked my socks off.

I know Bev read it. It’s The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley. I listened to the Audible narration which was perfection in case you’re looking for a good listen.

Next listen is Jean’s five star rec, A Lover’s Lament. See Jean, I didn’t forget. In fact I’ve had it lined up. It just takes me a little bit to get to them sometimes. It’s crowded in my (and many of your) tbr lists.

Tessa…it sounds *really* good but I’m looking for straight up zombies and end-of-the-world stuff like WD…you know how you get in the mood for something VERY specific? Yeah, that’s me right now.

MichelleS!!! OMG I’m so excited for you. I was surprised with how “light” the first book was, but then the second book took a really dark turn. Gah! I loved that series! And now I’m leaning more and more towards the spinoff book…

Amy – I’m going to make a rec. It’s not zombies, but it’s that feeling that I think you’re after. You need to cleanse your palate from IEWU, right? Okay. So this is a weird one that I STILL remember. Kind of freaky and out there, but dark and memorable. Lips Like Ice, by P. Barnett. Just download the sample and see what you think.

Oh I broke down and quit on the audiobook and just finished It Ends With Us…I needed printed words to devour faster! Totally agree, an easy 5* Just…I was so wrapped up in Lily, I was crying towards the end and didn’t even realize it until I stopped reading. Couldn’t stop reading.

Fabi – I have The Madness of….. I bought it when she recommended it. You liked it? Good to know. And Lovers Lament has been on my radar. Let me know how that goes. Lots of 5 star recs on amazon for that one.

What’s with the no m/m? OMG. Wolfsong was m/m and it was one of the best books I have ever read. Seriously. Romance is romance. Love is love.

MichelleS…I’ll try a sample of LLI. And the whole no m/m thing isn’t about it being m/m, it’s about me not connecting with the male-only POV. I *wish* I could, and believe me I’ve tried to force it. But, because I’m weird, I *do* connect with teenage boy POV books that are extremely emotional. *shrugs* But y’all are used to my weirdness.

M/M issue is only this. I’ve yet to try one where one isn’t significantly more dominant than the other. Submissive males just make me shudder. (I know. I’m weird. ) I’d need a guarantee that they are both strong personalities. Then, I’d look at it.

Funny question Fabi, I’m looking at my spotify list trying to pick my favorite one and having a hard time. I love X Ambassadors, so I love your pick actually, I’m sure you’ve heard Unsteady… have you heard Chase Holfelder’s cover of it, it’s amazing! Hmmm.. I actually am in love with We Don’t Talk Anymore by Charlie Puth and Selena Gomez at the moment… ask me in a couple days and I’m sure it will change.

My trigger would be books that involve miscarriage. If I can avoid books that contain them, I do and if I know going in there will be I will not read it. Favorite song from 2015/2016 is tough. I don’t do favorites bc I’m too indecisive and can’t narrow things down, but recently fell in love with Marianas Trench “Who Do You Love” and have been a big fan of Walking On Cars “Speeding On Cars”, “Catch Me if You Can”, etc. And I vote for anybody wanted a lighthearted pick me up, Penny In London. The blurb doesn’t do it justice in my opinion, and it’s quick but you’ll fall in love and really root for Penny and Oliver.

I’m not sure I have a trigger per se. Although I know I wouldn’t have been able to read CoHo’s newest book without ending up in a puddle on the floor. Otherwise, I always have a problem with weak heroines. Of course, my interpretation of weak is quite broad, so yeah…lots of those books. In fact, now that I think about it, Tessa’s comment about weak H’s might be why I lean towards mm romance so much. It’s very unusual, practically unheard of, for one of the H’s to be weak. I love it when I run across a book with a strong h. That’s probably why I also lean towards YA, PNR and action thrillers. The h’s in those genres are more often strong, even equal sometimes to the H’s.

Ive just started IEWU and already I dont like the H. If hes going to be one of those fuck ups that has the emtional capacity of a potato Im not reading it.
There…..theres my trigger.
And what’s with that name…its making me grumpy.

I think it is interesting how we interpret the H & h. If we think they are strong or weak or likable or not.
I totally read all the books, but Bella Swan? Blech. Weak and unlikable, lol. Bug others love her. *shrug*

Lisa, I like unusual names, some of the time, but even I’m sometimes wth? It can be almost jarring if I stumble over the name each time I read it.

Favorite song (one of many depending on my mood) is Me by 1975. It always makes me get a lump in my throat and feel a bit teary and I dont know why. I dont think its a particularly sad song lyrically…its just the feeling state it creates. Does that make sense?

Makes up blankie fort, armed with bottles and Godiva… because I don’t know what your favorite is, I brought lots! I feel a little like Karen Walker at the moment! I haven’t heard that song yet… off to Spotify LOL!

Favorite song released 2015-2016: I guess “I took a pill in Ibiza” is one I liked a lot. I, too, love anything Ed Sheeran puts out, but he didn’t release anything. He’s just a musical genius. Did see him live last year. Just wow! And it KILLS ME to admit how many times I catch myself singing that dang Bieber song, “Love Yourself”. Argh!!!!

@ Fabi – I am trying to learn to like historical romance so I will give The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie a try sometime…it’s available at my library! (What’s better than FREE audiobooks??)

As far as “triggers” go, I am all over the place. What sets me off today may not have bothered me a few years ago. I think it’s from reading so many depressing things & MCs with tragic pasts I just can’t take it anymore. (Or maybe it’s just my crazy peri-menapausal, hormonal self??) Honestly, I am at the point now where ANYTHING depressing just brings me down. I’d need therapy & drugs to survive something like Me Before You. I guess I got to read more light humor romcom. I’m actually going to start Banking the Billionaire.

Friday!!!
Reading 2 books right now, but then onto the new Ginger Scott.

I’m so behind on new music right now. *sigh* it’s depressing.
I know everyone went crazy over Lemonade, but I haven’t really listened to it.
From 2015 I liked the Stapleton cover of Tennessee Whiskey. I also liked Florence and the Machines What Kind of Man.

In some of the apocalyptic books we read, the characters do not have access to music, books, TV, etc. I think they are too busy trying to survive. With the amount of leisure time we have, no, I couldn’t choose between music and books.

I could never pick between the two. I hum and sing all day. I’m one of those annoying people who finds a lyric to go with nearly anything. I don’t even know who sings these songs, half the time. When I hear a certain song, it will remind me of a book, and it makes the emotions from that book even stronger.

R. Renee – I can’t work and listen to music either. My brain overloads. I also can’t have music on in a car when people are talking. I can’t concentrate on the conversation. My brain is just too aware of the music.

Music. Hands down. I can’t not sing. As far as books, I’ll just start telling stories. a dirt and stick and I can write down what I;m thinking. However, no music? *shudders* I’d probably start writing my own music, but let’s be honest. I’d probably go nuts because there would be nothing new to hear.

I was thinking the same thing, every time Lily said her roommate annoyed her with the singing I kept thinking that I was annoying my family! My son tells me often to “stop” – especially if it’s that Bieber song! Remember that “Whistle” by Flo Rida song? OMG. I didn’t even think about what it meant and my son said, “mom, you know what that means, right? can you please not sing that”. MORTIFIED.

Ok I just finished It Ends With Us this morning. Amy I also stayed away so that I could truly experience this book without any potential “spoilerish” input.

I’m still sitting here with my emotions ALL.OVER.THE.PLACE. This was such an emotional read that had me swaying back and forth on what I was feeling and thinking what would I do and what do I wish the H and H would do. I also was definitely saying a lot of “what-ifs.” CoHo is a master at writing so beautifully and OMG, the author’s note; I think I cried more reading that than I did the entire book. My only complaint is I wish there was more to the epilogue. I’m hoping she’ll write a follow-up novella.

MichelleS, that’s priceless! Little dude kept wanting Whistle and I was all, nope. Unfortunately, he does have Justin Beiber songs, and those things get STUCK in my head. And yeah, everyone keeps saying stop with my singing. My niece used to go crazy. A song would be on the radio in the car, and I’d be singing along. She’d ask, “You like this?: I’d just stare at her, realize what song it is, and answer, “Actually, nope.” She’d get so frustrated, saying to stop singing the songs I don’t like. lol

Oh dear. I think Im the only person on the planet who is not ‘getting’ IEWU.
Im not connecting with any of these people. The H makes my skin crawl and the h makes me feel grumpy. Im having that dilemma where you start reading and before you’ve got to the bottom of the page your thinking about a shopping list or if you’ve put the bins out, and have no idea what you’ve read.
And that’s making me reallllly grumpy because it CH!!!!
Not much more to go so I’ll finish.

I couldn’t get on the IEWU bandwagon as it hasn’t released in Australia so I started another on the list. Amanda Bouchet’s debut novel A Promise of Fire, The Kingmaker Trilogy. I highly recommend this book. It was a real page turner. Absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the release of the second one. It has fantasy, action, romance, Greek Gods, awesome characters and a fantastic storyline. Doesn’t end in a big cliffhanger either which is an added bonus.

About Me

I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. [ read more ]